By Susan Wilkofsky
‘Dreams of Equality in 2020’
Cynthia Salzman Mondell and Allen Mondell are never ones to rest on their laurels (and there have been plenty of laurels upon which to rest). The Media Projects, Inc. duo, who brought us, “West of Hester Street” and “The Monster Among Us” invite us to join them in a virtual celebration of the 100th anniversary of the women’s right to vote.
As part of the 19th Amendment Centennial, sponsored by the Communities Foundation of Texas, Media Projects, Inc. and Ignite National present “Dreams of Equality in 2020.” The award-winning film brings to life the First Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls in 1848. The docudrama chronicles the struggles of the women’s rights movement, told through the letters between a sister and brother spanning 30 years. The story is intertwined with contemporary segments in which young people engage in candid exchanges about the present-day roles of men and women. It’s truly remarkable that so many of the issues that faced women in 1848 are still so relevant today.
The free screening will be followed by a dynamic panel with Ignite President Anne Moses, filmmaker Cynthia Salzman Mondell and activist Deja Foxx.
The Mondells have done all the hard work, so all you have to do is register, invite your family and friends to watch (in their own homes, of course) and enjoy the program!
‘Fauda’
If “Homeland” (Showtime) had a love-child with “24” (Fox) and starred Tony Soprano but was filmed in Israel, you would have some idea of the Israeli political thriller television series “Fauda.” It has elements of all of the above, but goes literally into territory we haven’t seen before on the small screen.
“Fauda” (meaning “chaos” in Arabic) was created in 2014 by actor Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff based on their experiences during their military service in the counter-terrorism units of the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Border Police, and Israel Police who
operate undercover. Issacharoff, an Israeli journalist known for his focus on Palestinian affairs, interjects a dose of authenticity gleamed from his work in the media. Originally broadcast on Israeli cable, “Fauda” generates a genuine atmosphere of realism while depicting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The program is in Hebrew and Arabic and the cast features a few Palestinian actors.
The show has been showered with awards by the Israeli Television Academy including including Best Drama Series, Best Actor (Lior Raz) and also Best Screenplay, Casting and Cinematography. The New York Times voted “Fauda” one of the best international shows of 2017.
Season 1 of “Fauda” premiered on Netflix in December 2016 and Season 2 followed in May 2018. Season 3 began April 16, so you still have the opportunity to catch up on the 24 episodes missed in the first two seasons. But watch at your own risk! If you just don’t get enough of a jolt from a cup of espresso and crave an adrenaline rush — then “Fauda” is for you!